Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: Speech and Language Disorders

lord ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans Ofstedhas to consider children and young people's speech, language, and communication needs in their future research on special educational needs and difficulties, including provision of joint commissioning of specialist therapies and support.

lord agnew of oulton: This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to you directly and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Free Schools

lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government, excluding new schools opened following a competition under section 6A of the Education Act 2011, what was their target for the number of free schools to be opened in the 2018–19 school year; how many opened for the start of the September 2018 term; and how many they expect to be opened during the remainder of the2018–19 school year.

lord agnew of oulton: All new schools are classified as free schools, established either through the central or ‘presumption route’, the latter being those opening under section 6A of the Education Act (2011). There is no target for the number of free schools to be opened during the 2018-19 school year. In September 2018, 53 free schools, 36 of which were through the central route, and one university technical college were opened. A further four central route schools are currently forecast to open in the current school year.

Schools: Accountability

lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Agnew of Oulton on 11 July (HL9052), when they intend to publish the consultation document on reviewing the school accountability system.

lord agnew of oulton: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 11 July 2018, to Question HL9052, which indicated that the consultation would take place during the autumn term. An exact date is yet to be agreed. The consultation will be focused on considering how we can best identify schools that might benefit from an offer of support.

Department for International Trade

Sanctions: Iran

lord campbell of pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking together with other members of the European Union to mitigate the effects of the imposition of sanctions on UK companies doing business in Iran.

baroness fairhead: We are working closely with the EU Commission and other member states to mitigate the impact of US sanctions on businesses continuing to trade with Iran. This involves delivering a special purpose vehicle to support European companies engaged in legitimate trade with Iran, raising with the US the need to make allowance for trade in humanitarian goods, and updating the Blocking Regulation.